Introduction to the Incident
Immigrant advocates and elected officials condemned the NYPD on Sunday for its response to anti-ICE protests in Chinatown that turned chaotic 24 hours earlier.
Photo by Dean Moses
Immigrant advocates and elected officials condemned the NYPD on Sunday for its response to anti-ICE protests in Chinatown that turned chaotic 24 hours earlier.
Criticism of NYPD Response
Standing outside the garage on Howard and Centre Streets, the advocates and group of elected officials did not pull any punches when it came to criticizing law enforcement. Murad Awawdeh, the head of the New York Immigration Coalition, charged that police brutalized protesters during the Nov. 29 demonstration.
“New Yorkers, friends, and family members were confronted by the NYPD, and then they were brutalized. Some people, randomly, were maced. Others were thrown to the ground violently for what New York City has been a sanctuary city for decades,” Awawdeh said.
Demands for Action
Local politicians echoed Awawdeh’s statements, demanding that Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg drop the charges against as many as 19 protesters arrested during the chaos.
The immigration coalition and several elected officials condemned the NYPD on Sunday for the way law enforcement responded to anti-ICE protests in Chinatown 24 hours prior.
Photo by Dean Moses
City Comptroller Brad Lander alleged that he believed that police violated local laws by clearing a path for the federal agents inside vehicles who made a getaway.
“When you see SRG agents clearing the street, clearing the way for trucks, let’s be clear, the words for that are facilitating ICE deportations. That is a violation of New York City sanctuary law, and it’s not tolerable. It is not the job of the NYPD to facilitate the deportations of our neighbors,” Lander charged. “I really do want to ask the NYPD to remember who you’re sworn to protect and serve, and it is the people of New York City. And yesterday, the people who were protecting and serving New Yorkers were the protesters who showed up.”
Support for Protesters
Almost every elected official in attendance thanked the New Yorkers who stood face-to-face with the masked federal agents, believing that their actions helped deter what they believed would have been a massive ICE operation.
While Public Advocate Jumaane Williams called for New Yorkers to remain peaceful, he also said he would not apologize on their behalf.
Photo by Dean Moses
“We will not apologize for stepping up and protecting one another. I want you to understand what is happening and will continue to happen in New York City. We are immensely proud of New Yorkers who stepped up every time ICE agents have come in and tried to abuse our neighbors, and I want to encourage all New Yorkers to continue to do the same. The only thing that we ask is that you do it as nonviolently as possible,” Williams said.
Details of the Incident
Throughout the day Saturday, cops could be seen tackling men and women to the ground, striking them with batons.
One sergeant was spotted shooting pepper spray that struck protesters, journalists, and even a fellow police officer.
Photo by Dean Moses
Meanwhile, police sources reported that about 19 people were taken into custody, while 11 were officially arrested and slapped with charges. One 26-year-old male was charged with felony assault and criminal possession of a weapon after they threw a wooden pallet that hit an officer’s leg.
Response from Authorities
While the NYPD did not immediately respond to these accusations, a police spokesperson denied accusations of working with federal agents.
“The NYPD was not in coordination with today’s federal operation and does not conduct civil immigration enforcement, period,” an NYPD spokesperson said.
Sources familiar with the incident report that Commissioner Tisch told FBI Director Kash Patel that Saturday’s operation was unacceptable.
Call for Action from Activists
Activist Jay Walker, who rushed to the scene after he heard about the presence of ICE, addressed the lack of a statement from the commissioner.
Photo by Dean Moses
“I haven’t seen an adequate statement or remarks from our administration, including Mayor Adams and Commissioner Tisch. I ask that, please, New Yorkers do not feel safe right now. They are living in fear, and you are adding to that fear,” Walker said. “ICE is terrorizing our city, not protesters — not non-violent protesters who are standing up for human rights.”
Conclusion
The incident highlights the ongoing tensions between immigrant communities, law enforcement, and federal agencies. The demands for a probe into the NYPD’s response and the calls for dropping charges against protesters reflect the need for accountability and transparency in policing. As the city navigates its role as a sanctuary for immigrants, it must balance the need to protect its residents with the need to uphold the law.
FAQs
Q: What happened during the anti-ICE protest in Chinatown?
A: The protest turned chaotic, with police and protesters clashing, and multiple arrests were made.
Q: What are the advocates and elected officials demanding?
A: They are demanding that Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg drop the charges against the protesters arrested during the chaos.
Q: What is the NYPD’s response to the accusations?
A: The NYPD denied accusations of working with federal agents and stated that they do not conduct civil immigration enforcement.
Q: What is the current status of the investigation?
A: There is no update on the investigation, but sources report that Commissioner Tisch told FBI Director Kash Patel that Saturday’s operation was unacceptable.
